Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Silas and Liam exited the room and closed the door behind them to offer Alyssa and Julien some privacy.

"Julien..." Alyssa called out to him softly.

Suddenly, she found herself at a loss for words. It did not seem like an appropriate time to comfort him or discuss his relationship with Jonah.

After what felt like a long silence, Julien hung his head low as a tear rolled down his cheek. "Lyse, I'm sorry."

Shaking her head furiously, she gently comforted him, "Julien, this is not your fault. You don't owe anyone an apology. There's nothing wrong in loving Jonah."

"It's my fault." Julien mumbled with his head kept low like a criminal. His confident self was nowhere to be seen. "Aunt Mandy was right. I ruined Jonah's life. Things would have been different if I had listened to her.

"Lyse, I am at fault. I'm being selfish. I would rather be the one to pay the price. I'm willing to sacrifice anything as long as Jonah isn't hurt. I would like everything to go back to how it was, but I think it's too late."

A wave of pain rolled through her. She had a lump in her throat. Putting aside Jonah's suffering, Julien seemed to be utterly destroyed.

got in touch with a senior I'm on good terms with. He's a renowned neurologist who pays attention to details

get his help to treat Mr. Winston. He's as good as I

"Julien, what about you?

her a bitter smile. "I will likely never return after this

Jonah going to cope if you leave?" She worriedly grabbed his arm. "You love Jonah very much. You should know him well. Do you remember his reaction when the

all the responsibility because he didn't want you scolded and harassed. He'd risk his reputation to protect

slowly raised his eyes to meet her gaze. An agonizing

just to be with you." She grasped his arm so hard that his coat

being beaten by family and disowned just to return to Jonah's side. Is this the outcome you want

it do? Society will not accept us. Your dad and your entire family will not approve of

for Jonah, but I don't want him to lose everything for me. He needs to be the happiest man in the world, or I'd rather have never met

at him intensely and said, "And that is

giving up on

violently at